Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use three Temperature Sensors to collect data from three solar collectors and determine which one absorbs the most heat. They will develop an understanding of the difference between absorption and reflection.
Before the Activity
Connect the TI-73 Explorer™ to the CBL 2 unit
Plug three temperature sensors in channel 1, channel 2, channel 3 on the CBL 2 and start the DataMate™ program
Download TI-GRAPH LINK™ or TI Connect™ to analyze data on the computer
Download DataMate for TI-83+ program
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 85 - 91 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class
Follow the Activity procedures:
Collect three soda cans painted black, white and silver
Put a sensor in each painted can and seal with putty or clay
Place the cans with sensors in the sun at exactly the same time or next to a heat lamp at the same distance from the heat source
Collect temperature data every 30 seconds for 10 minutes
Graph data
Identify which color made the best solar collector and which color reflected heat the best
After the Activity
Students will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary